The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group works to help people whose rights have been violated and investigates cases involving such abuse, as well as assessing the overall human rights situation in Ukraine. The Group also seeks to develop awareness of human rights issues through public events and its various publications

Media Trade Union disturbed by political pressure on journalists of UT-1

The Kyiv Independent Media Trade Union is deeply disturbed by the return of political pressure on journalists on the First National Television channel [UT-1] “The removal from air of the talk show of the vice-president of UT-1, Viktor Pavlyuk, is a dangerous signal for all journalists”, Mykhailyna Skoryk, Head of the Kyiv Independent Media Trade Union stated today. “Mondays program “Toloka” received the highest rating since the program has been on air. In view of that, accusations against the presenter of lack of professionalism sound, at very least, badly timed”.

She added that journalists from “Novyny” [“News”] are also feeling pressure on them. “In addition, heads of the television companies dont want to either sign agreements of editorial policy despite long-standing draft plans for this, or to change the editorial staffs agreement. These would guarantee j state television journalists more freedom”.

People at the channel also speak of economic pressure. “The news service staff complain that their pay gets delayed, and they are threatened with fines, which must worry the Trade Union”, she stressed.